Your Wellness Website Brand Photo Shoot

One of the best ways to uplevel your wellness website is with a fantastic brand photo shoot. Let’s face it, stock photos for health and wellness professionals are limited enough that you often see the same photos over and over again on every other practitioner’s website. If you want to stand out and feel unique, I strongly encourage you to do your own photo shoot for your wellness website.

Here are simple tips to make the most of your wellness website photo shoot:

Choose a Photographer who Understands Your Work

A photographer’s job goes far beyond just taking technical expertise in photography. You are hiring them not just to take photos, but also to capture your brand energy. You want your photos to build trust and connection with your audience. 

• Make sure your photographer understands your business mission and vibe as a practitioner.
• Every photographer has their own unique style and approach. Make sure they have experience in brand photography, and ideally someone who understands the nature of your work.
• Look at their portfolio of work to ensure it is a match for the feel of photos you are wanting. Have they worked with other people in your field?

Plan your Wellness Brand Photo Shoot

It is important to collaborate closely with your chosen photographer to communicate your vision and ensure that it is translated into the final images.

Share what you want your images to communicate to your audience so you can be sure your vision is translated into the final images. I love creating a Pinterest board with sample images found online to convey vibe and ideas for poses. If you want a headshot, check out my top tips for your website headshot photo shoot.

Brainstorm poses & situations that would be helpful to share your work with clients. For example, if you are a postpartum doula you could include an image of you being welcomed at the front door by a family with their newborn baby. Or even simply knocking at the door with your doula bag. If you are a chiropractor, you could have a photo of you cradling a clients neck, or palpating their spine.

Select a location that reflects your brand and resonates with your target audience. Whether it’s a serene outdoor setting or a modern indoor space, make sure the location is a complement to your brand identity. Your photographer will help you evaluate lighting & time of day. Some people even rent an airbnb space for their photo shoot for an elevated look!

Consider integrating branding elements such as your logo into your photo shoot to reinforce brand recognition and consistency. Perhaps a branded coffee mug or book bag or journal? 

Talk with your web designer beforehand to think through the types of photos you should get for your web design. For example, I always make sure clients plan for some photos that will work as hero images (edge to edge on your website). They should be horizontal and have plenty of space around the focus of the image. If you plan on layering text on top you might want to have the image subject to the left or right of the photo frame with a more neutral background for text overlay.

Defining your Look for your Wellness Photo Shoot

How do you want to show up online for potential clients? Do you want photos that feel relaxed and casual, or ultra-polished and refined? Make sure the way you show up in your photos matches the person they will actually meet when you connect in-person.

Consider having your hair and/or makeup professionally done on the day of. If you don’t normally wear makeup with clients, this is in no way essential – if I had a photo shoot done with makeup on nobody would ever recognize me! I do, however, use a TINY bit of eyeliner, mascara & lip tint on photo shoot days for just a bit more pop!

Opt for comfortable yet stylish clothing that reflects your profession and makes you feel confident. Choose colors and patterns that complement your skin tone and convey the mood and tone of your brand. 

Consider bringing several outfits to try out some different looks and have a more diverse set of photos to choose from. Ultimately, aim to strike a balance between comfort, style, and professionalism to ensure that you feel your best and exude confidence in front of the camera.

Jewelry matters! If you wear jewelry, choose earrings that will be visible with your hair length or style. A necklace that will be visible in your shots and not make people wonder “What is that thing on her neck?”!

Do you need props? Perhaps key equipment or tools you often use when working with clients such as your doula bag, massage table, or a fetoscope. What about favorite books you recommend to clients? How can you use props to best tell the story of your business?

Plan for Photos that Capture Your Vibe as a Wellness Practitioner?

The best photos build an instant connection with your audience. When you show up in an authentic way, potential clients experience resonance. Your goal is for them to think “I want to meet this person!”

Showcase genuine moments and emotions. Don’t be afraid to laugh, and let your photographer shoot you in the “in-between” moments, not just posing for the camera.

Warm eye contact is a wonderful way to ensure a photo connects with your audience, but it’s also ok to have some shots of you from the site interacting with others, talking on your phone, etc…

Finally, it’s normal to feel a bit vulnerable in a photo shoot. Most of us have personal concerns about some aspect of our appearance. Big ears? Weight. Teeth. That damned crooked eyebrow… Remember, your clients are GOING to MEET YOU IN PERSON! Your photographer will be able to play with your positions to show you in your best light, but mostly I encourage you to shop up as 100% authentically you. After all, you’re the one they want to work with, even if you’ve been trying to lose the same 10lbs for years…